A three-dimensional shear wave elastic imaging method, system and related device

Abstract

The embodiment of the present invention discloses a three-dimensional shear wave elastic imaging method, system and related device, wherein the system uses a one-dimensional ultrasonic probe to realize beam deflection in one direction, and drives the ultrasonic probe to translate or rotate through an external first motor, so as to collect ultrasonic imaging of multiple planar test areas, and obtain deformation images in three-dimensional space according to target deformation images corresponding to multiple planar test areas, and can obtain deformation images in three-dimensional space without expensive two-dimensional or 1.5D matrix ultrasonic transducers. This method divides the imaging area into N sub-imaging areas of preset sizes, and ultrasonic imaging is performed on the target sub-imaging area with a preset time interval before and after, and the target deformation image is obtained based on the deformation amount between the first ultrasonic image and the second ultrasonic image. Each ultrasonic emission and excitation only needs to excite a small area, so that high frame rate tissue deformation tracking can be achieved.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to the field of image processing technology, and in particular to a three-dimensional shear wave elastic imaging method, system and related devices. Background Art

[0002] Currently, clinical 3D shear wave elastography usually uses: 1. Expensive 2D or 1.5D matrix ultrasound transducers. The transducer usually includes ultrasound array elements arranged in two spaces, so as to achieve the deflection of the transmission beam in two directions; 2. Traditional shear wave elastography uses a hardware system to generate a high-intensity waveform with high-intensity excitation to stimulate the transducer to achieve tissue deformation, but the use of the hardware system leads to high hardware costs. Summary of the invention

[0003] The main purpose of the present invention is to provide a three-dimensional shear wave elastic imaging method, system, device, computer equipment and storage medium, which can solve the problem of high hardware cost in the prior art.

[0004] To achieve the above object, the present invention provides a three-dimensional shear wave elastic imaging method in a first aspect, the method comprising:

[0005] Acquire an imaging area of ​​a one-dimensional ultrasound probe on an i-th plane test area, and divide the imaging area into N sub-imaging areas of preset sizes, wherein an initial value of i is 1, and the i-th plane test area is the i-th plane test area among M plane test areas in two-dimensional space obtained by dividing the test area in three-dimensional space of the subject;

[0006] Traversing the N sub-imaging areas, for a traversed target sub-imaging area, performing ultrasonic imaging on the target sub-imaging area to obtain a first ultrasonic image corresponding to the target sub-imaging area, and performing a second ultrasonic imaging on the target sub-imaging area after a preset time interval to obtain a second ultrasonic image; obtaining a deformation amount between the first ultrasonic image and the second ultrasonic image, and obtaining a target deformation image based on the deformation amount;

[0007] Let i=i+1, and return to the step of obtaining the imaging area of ​​the one-dimensional ultrasound probe on the i-th planar test area until i=M; perform three-dimensional shear wave elastic imaging based on the target deformation images corresponding to the M planar test areas to obtain a deformation image of the test area of ​​the subject in three-dimensional space.

[0008] In combination with the first aspect, in a possible implementation method, the above-mentioned acquisition of the deformation amount between the first ultrasonic image and the second ultrasonic image includes: dividing the first ultrasonic image into Z first areas to be compared according to a preset resolution, and dividing the second ultrasonic image into Z second areas to be compared according to a preset resolution; acquiring an area of ​​interest among the Z first areas to be compared, and acquiring a comparison area among the Z second areas to be compared, wherein the area of ​​interest is a selected target first area to be compared, and the comparison area is a second area to be compared where the area of ​​interest is located and a second area to be compared adjacent to the second area to be compared where the area of ​​interest is located; based on the area of ​​interest and the comparison area, the deformation amount between the first ultrasonic image and the second ultrasonic image is acquired.

[0009] In combination with the first aspect, in a possible implementation manner, acquiring the deformation amount between the first ultrasonic image and the second ultrasonic image according to the region of interest and the comparison region includes:

[0010] The region of interest is cross-correlated matched with the comparison region respectively to obtain corresponding cross-correlation coefficients; the second region to be compared with the largest cross-correlation coefficient in the comparison region is selected as the target comparison region, and the deformation amount between the target comparison region and the region of interest is obtained; the deformation amount between the first ultrasonic image and the second ultrasonic image is the deformation amount between the target comparison region and the region of interest.

[0011] In combination with the first aspect, in a possible implementation method, the above-mentioned dividing the first ultrasound image into Z first areas to be compared according to a preset resolution, and dividing the second ultrasound image into Z second areas to be compared according to a preset resolution, includes: dividing the first ultrasound image into Z first areas to be compared according to a preset j-th resolution, and dividing the second ultrasound image into Z second areas to be compared according to a preset j-th resolution, wherein the initial value of j is 1.

[0012] In combination with the first aspect, in a possible implementation method, after the second area to be compared with the largest cross-correlation coefficient in the comparison area is selected as the target comparison area, it also includes: if j<H, then let j=j+1, divide the area of ​​interest into P third areas to be compared according to the jth resolution, and divide the target comparison area into P fourth areas to be compared according to the preset jth resolution, wherein H is the total number of preset resolutions, and the j+1th resolution is greater than the jth resolution; let Z=P, the third area to be compared as the first area to be compared and the fourth area to be compared as the second area to be compared, return to execute the steps of obtaining the area of ​​interest in the Z first areas to be compared, and obtaining the comparison area in the Z second areas to be compared, until j=H.

[0013] To achieve the above object, the second aspect of the present invention provides a three-dimensional shear wave elastic imaging system, the system performs the method as described in the first aspect, the system comprises a first motor, a second motor, a one-dimensional ultrasound probe and a processor;

[0014] The first motor is used to control the one-dimensional ultrasound probe to move to a preset area for photographing the i-th plane area to be tested, so that the one-dimensional ultrasound probe performs ultrasound imaging on the i-th plane area to be tested; wherein i takes a value from 1 to M, and the i-th plane area to be tested is the i-th plane area to be tested among the M plane areas to be tested in two-dimensional space obtained by dividing the area to be tested in the three-dimensional space of the subject to be tested;

[0015] The second motor is used to control the vibration of the one-dimensional ultrasonic probe;

[0016] The processor is used to obtain an imaging area of ​​a one-dimensional ultrasonic probe on an i-th planar test area, and divide the imaging area into N sub-imaging areas of preset sizes; control the one-dimensional ultrasonic probe to traverse the N sub-imaging areas, and for the traversed target sub-imaging area, perform ultrasonic imaging on the target sub-imaging area to obtain a first ultrasonic image corresponding to the target sub-imaging area, and after a preset time interval, control the one-dimensional ultrasonic probe to perform secondary ultrasonic imaging on the target sub-imaging area to obtain a second ultrasonic image; perform cross-correlation matching on the first ultrasonic image and the second ultrasonic image to determine the deformation amount between the first ultrasonic image and the second ultrasonic image, and obtain a target deformation image based on the deformation amount; perform three-dimensional shear wave elastic imaging based on the target deformation images obtained corresponding to the M planar test areas to obtain a deformation image of the test area of ​​the subject to be tested in three-dimensional space.

[0017] To achieve the above object, the present invention provides a three-dimensional shear wave elastic imaging device in a third aspect, the device comprising:

[0018] An imaging region acquisition module is used to acquire an imaging region of a one-dimensional ultrasound probe on the i-th plane test region, and divide the imaging region into N sub-imaging regions of preset sizes, wherein the initial value of i is 1, and the i-th plane test region is the i-th plane test region among the M plane test regions on the two-dimensional space obtained by dividing the test region on the three-dimensional space of the subject;

[0019] The deformation image acquisition module is used to traverse the N sub-imaging areas, and for the traversed target sub-imaging area, perform ultrasonic imaging on the target sub-imaging area to obtain a first ultrasonic image corresponding to the target sub-imaging area, and perform secondary ultrasonic imaging on the target sub-imaging area after a preset time interval to obtain a second ultrasonic image; obtain the deformation amount between the first ultrasonic image and the second ultrasonic image, and obtain a target deformation image based on the deformation amount;

[0020] Three-dimensional image acquisition module: used to set i=i+1, return to execute the step of acquiring the imaging area of ​​the one-dimensional ultrasound probe on the i-th plane test area, until i=M; perform three-dimensional shear wave elastic imaging according to the target deformation images corresponding to the M plane test areas, and obtain the deformation image of the test area of ​​the test subject in three-dimensional space.

[0021] To achieve the above object, the fourth aspect of the present invention provides a computer-readable storage medium storing a computer program, wherein when the computer program is executed by a processor, the processor performs the following steps:

[0022] Acquire an imaging area of ​​a one-dimensional ultrasound probe on an i-th plane test area, and divide the imaging area into N sub-imaging areas of preset sizes, wherein an initial value of i is 1, and the i-th plane test area is the i-th plane test area among M plane test areas in two-dimensional space obtained by dividing the test area in three-dimensional space of the subject;

[0023] Traversing the N sub-imaging areas, for a traversed target sub-imaging area, performing ultrasonic imaging on the target sub-imaging area to obtain a first ultrasonic image corresponding to the target sub-imaging area, and performing a second ultrasonic imaging on the target sub-imaging area after a preset time interval to obtain a second ultrasonic image; obtaining a deformation amount between the first ultrasonic image and the second ultrasonic image, and obtaining a target deformation image based on the deformation amount;

[0024] Let i=i+1, and return to the step of obtaining the imaging area of ​​the one-dimensional ultrasound probe on the i-th planar test area until i=M; perform three-dimensional shear wave elastic imaging based on the target deformation images corresponding to the M planar test areas to obtain a deformation image of the test area of ​​the subject in three-dimensional space.

[0025] To achieve the above object, a fifth aspect of the present invention provides a computer device, comprising a memory and a processor, wherein the memory stores a computer program, and when the computer program is executed by the processor, the processor performs the following steps:

[0026] Acquire an imaging area of ​​a one-dimensional ultrasound probe on an i-th plane test area, and divide the imaging area into N sub-imaging areas of preset sizes, wherein an initial value of i is 1, and the i-th plane test area is the i-th plane test area among M plane test areas in two-dimensional space obtained by dividing the test area in three-dimensional space of the subject;

[0027] Traversing the N sub-imaging areas, for a traversed target sub-imaging area, performing ultrasonic imaging on the target sub-imaging area to obtain a first ultrasonic image corresponding to the target sub-imaging area, and performing a second ultrasonic imaging on the target sub-imaging area after a preset time interval to obtain a second ultrasonic image; obtaining a deformation amount between the first ultrasonic image and the second ultrasonic image, and obtaining a target deformation image based on the deformation amount;

[0028] Let i=i+1, and return to the step of obtaining the imaging area of ​​the one-dimensional ultrasound probe on the i-th planar test area until i=M; perform three-dimensional shear wave elastic imaging based on the target deformation images corresponding to the M planar test areas to obtain a deformation image of the test area of ​​the subject in three-dimensional space.

[0029] The embodiments of the present invention have the following beneficial effects:

[0030] The present invention provides a three-dimensional shear wave elastic imaging method and system. The present invention adopts a one-dimensional ultrasonic probe to realize beam deflection in one direction, and drives the ultrasonic probe to translate or rotate through an external first motor, so as to collect ultrasonic imaging of multiple planar test areas, and obtains deformation images in three-dimensional space according to target deformation images corresponding to the multiple planar test areas, and can obtain deformation images in three-dimensional space without expensive two-dimensional or 1.5D matrix ultrasonic transducers.

[0031] In addition, the present invention drives the ultrasonic probe to vibrate through an external second motor, thereby generating high-intensity vibration waves, and does not require the use of a hardware system, thereby reducing hardware costs.

[0032] The present invention divides an imaging area into N sub-imaging areas of preset sizes, performs ultrasonic imaging on a target sub-imaging area to obtain a first ultrasonic image corresponding to the target sub-imaging area, performs secondary ultrasonic imaging on the target sub-imaging area after a preset time interval to obtain a second ultrasonic image, obtains a deformation amount between the first ultrasonic image and the second ultrasonic image, and obtains a target deformation image based on the deformation amount. Only a smaller image window is compared between two adjacent frames each time, so each ultrasonic emission and excitation only needs to excite a small area, thereby enabling high frame rate tissue deformation tracking. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0033] In order to more clearly illustrate the embodiments of the present invention or the technical solutions in the prior art, the drawings required for use in the embodiments or the description of the prior art will be briefly introduced below. Obviously, the drawings described below are only some embodiments of the present invention. For ordinary technicians in this field, other drawings can be obtained based on these drawings without paying creative work.

[0034] in:

[0035] Figure 1 A schematic diagram of a three-dimensional shear wave elastic imaging system according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0036] Figure 2 A schematic diagram of the process of a three-dimensional shear wave elastic imaging method in an embodiment of the present invention;

[0037] Figure 3 A schematic diagram of an imaging area divided into sub-imaging areas in an embodiment of the present invention;

[0038] Figure 4 Schematic diagram of Z first areas to be compared in an embodiment of the present invention;

[0039] Figure 5 Schematic diagram of Z second areas to be compared in an embodiment of the present invention;

[0040] Figure 6 It is a structural block diagram of a three-dimensional shear wave elastic imaging device in an embodiment of the present invention;

[0041] Figure 7 4 is a structural block diagram of a computer device in an embodiment of the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0042] The following will be combined with the drawings in the embodiments of the present invention to clearly and completely describe the technical solutions in the embodiments of the present invention. Obviously, the described embodiments are only part of the embodiments of the present invention, not all of the embodiments. Based on the embodiments of the present invention, all other embodiments obtained by ordinary technicians in this field without creative work are within the scope of protection of the present invention.

[0043] An embodiment of the present invention provides a three-dimensional shear wave elasticity imaging system, which can be applied to endoscopic ultrasound imaging, such as intracardiac ultrasound, esophageal ultrasound, vaginal ultrasound, digestive tract ultrasound, and bronchial ultrasound.

[0044] Reference Figure 1 , Figure 1 A schematic diagram of a three-dimensional shear wave elastic imaging system provided by an embodiment of the present invention is shown in FIG. Figure 1 As shown, the system includes a first motor 1, a second motor 2 and a one-dimensional ultrasonic probe 3, wherein the first motor 1 is connected to the one-dimensional ultrasonic probe 3 and is used to control the movement of the one-dimensional ultrasonic probe 3, and the second motor 2 is connected to the first motor 1 and is used to control the first motor 1 to vibrate up and down to control the vibration of the one-dimensional ultrasonic probe 3. The present invention drives the one-dimensional ultrasonic probe to vibrate by an external second motor to slap human tissue, thereby generating high-intensity vibration waves.

[0045] The system also includes a processor 4, a first motor 1, a second motor 2, and a one-dimensional ultrasonic probe 3 are respectively connected to the processor, the one-dimensional ultrasonic probe 3 is used for ultrasonic imaging, and the processor 4 is used to control the first motor 1 and the second motor 2 to realize ultrasonic imaging of the one-dimensional ultrasonic probe 3, obtain ultrasonic images captured by the one-dimensional ultrasonic probe 3, and process the ultrasonic images.

[0046] Based on the above system, an embodiment of the present invention provides a three-dimensional shear wave elastic imaging method, referring to Figure 2 , Figure 2 A schematic flow chart of a three-dimensional shear wave elastic imaging method provided by an embodiment of the present invention is shown in FIG. Figure 2 As shown, the method is specifically shown in steps S101 to S103:

[0047] Step S101 : acquiring an imaging region of a one-dimensional ultrasound probe on an i-th plane test region, and dividing the imaging region into N sub-imaging regions of preset sizes.

[0048] The initial value of i is 1, and the i-th plane region to be tested is the i-th plane region to be tested among the M plane regions to be tested in two-dimensional space obtained by dividing the plane region to be tested in the three-dimensional space of the subject to be tested.

[0049] Step S102, traversing the N sub-imaging areas, for the traversed target sub-imaging area, performing ultrasonic imaging on the target sub-imaging area to obtain a first ultrasonic image corresponding to the target sub-imaging area, and after an interval of a preset time, performing a second ultrasonic imaging on the target sub-imaging area to obtain a second ultrasonic image; obtaining a deformation amount between the first ultrasonic image and the second ultrasonic image, and obtaining a target deformation image based on the deformation amount.

[0050] Step S103, let i=i+1, return to the step of obtaining the imaging area of ​​the one-dimensional ultrasound probe on the i-th planar test area, until i=M; perform three-dimensional shear wave elastic imaging according to the target deformation images corresponding to the M planar test areas to obtain a deformation image of the test area of ​​the subject in three-dimensional space.

[0051] Since the organs in the human body are three-dimensional, in order to better obtain diagnostic information, it is necessary to obtain a three-dimensional ultrasonic image, but the one-dimensional ultrasonic probe used in the present invention can only collect ultrasonic images in a two-dimensional plane. Therefore, in this embodiment, the M plane test areas in the two-dimensional space are obtained by dividing the test area in the three-dimensional space of the test subject, and each plane test area is subjected to separate ultrasonic imaging, and then integrated to obtain three-dimensional ultrasonic image information. For example, when ultrasonic imaging is performed in the heart cavity, the human body surface area corresponding to the heart cavity is divided to obtain multiple plane test areas.

[0052] First, the processor controls the first motor 1 so that the first motor 1 controls the one-dimensional ultrasound probe to move to a position for ultrasound imaging of the i-th plane test area, wherein the initial value of i is 1, and obtains the imaging area of ​​the one-dimensional ultrasound probe on the i-th plane test area. The imaging area can also be understood as an imaging field of view, and the imaging area is divided into N sub-imaging areas of a preset size. In this embodiment, the sub-imaging area can be called a sliding window, and the sub-imaging area can be a rectangular, circular, square or fan-shaped area. Figure 3 , Figure 3 A schematic diagram of an imaging area divided into sub-imaging areas provided by an embodiment of the present invention, such as Figure 3 As shown, the imaging field of view is a large sector, which is divided into N small sector areas (area 1-area N).

[0053] The processor controls the one-dimensional ultrasound probe to traverse the N sub-imaging areas, and for the traversed target sub-imaging area, controls the one-dimensional ultrasound probe to perform ultrasound imaging on the target sub-imaging area to obtain a first ultrasound image corresponding to the target sub-imaging area, and after a preset time interval, performs a second ultrasound imaging on the target sub-imaging area to obtain a second ultrasound image. Figure 3Taking the neutron imaging area as an example, when the target sub-imaging area traversed is sub-imaging area k, the one-dimensional ultrasound probe emits a focused ultrasound waveform in the direction of sub-imaging area k using a phased array method, and performs multi-beam image reconstruction, and only reconstructs the ultrasound image of the corresponding sector of sub-imaging area k. The preset duration can be ,in is the maximum imaging depth, and v is the speed of sound propagation in human tissue. The value of v can be 1540.

[0054] The processor obtains the deformation amount between the first ultrasonic image and the second ultrasonic image, and obtains the target deformation image based on the deformation amount. The method for obtaining the target deformation image can be as shown in steps S201 to S203:

[0055] Step S201: Divide the first ultrasound image into Z first regions to be compared according to a preset resolution, and divide the second ultrasound image into Z second regions to be compared according to a preset resolution.

[0056] Step S202: obtaining a region of interest in the Z first regions to be compared, and obtaining a comparison region in the Z second regions to be compared.

[0057] Step S203: acquiring a deformation amount between the first ultrasonic image and the second ultrasonic image according to the region of interest and the comparison region.

[0058] The first ultrasonic image is divided into Z first regions to be compared according to a preset resolution, and the second ultrasonic image is divided into Z second regions to be compared according to a preset resolution, that is, the ultrasonic image is subdivided.

[0059] The processor obtains a region of interest ROI from the Z first regions to be compared, and obtains a comparison region from the Z second regions to be compared, wherein the region of interest is the selected target first region to be compared, the region of interest can be selected by the doctor at his own discretion, and the comparison region is the second region to be compared where the region of interest is located and the second region to be compared adjacent to the second region to be compared where the region of interest is located. Figure 4 and Figure 5 , Figure 4 and Figure 5 A schematic diagram of a first Z region to be compared and a schematic diagram of a second Z region to be compared provided in an embodiment of the present invention are provided respectively. Assume Figure 4 The first region to be compared ROI1 in is the region of interest. At this time, the first region to be compared ROI1 is Figure 5 The second area to be compared is B in the image, then the comparison areas corresponding to the first area to be compared ROI1 are B, B1, B2, B3 and B4.

[0060] The region of interest is cross-correlatedly matched with the comparison region to obtain the corresponding cross-correlation coefficient, and the second region to be compared with the largest cross-correlation coefficient in the comparison region is selected as the target comparison region. For example, the first region to be compared ROI1 is the region of interest. At this time, the comparison regions corresponding to the first region to be compared ROI1 are B, B1, B2, B3 and B4. The cross-correlation coefficients of the first region to be compared ROI1 and the comparison regions B, B1, B2, B3 and B4 are calculated respectively, and the corresponding cross-correlation coefficients are Q1, Q2, Q3, Q4 and Q5. Among them, Q1>Q2>Q3>Q4>Q5, then the comparison region B is determined as the target comparison region.

[0061] The deformation amount between the target contrast region and the region of interest is obtained, wherein the center distance between the target contrast region and the region of interest can be the deformation amount. Therefore, the deformation amount between the first ultrasonic image and the second ultrasonic image includes the deformation amount between the target contrast region and the region of interest.

[0062] It should be noted that there may be more than one region of interest in the Z first regions to be compared. If there are multiple regions of interest, steps S202 to S203 can be performed for each region of interest to obtain the deformation amount between the target comparison region corresponding to the region of interest and the region of interest.

[0063] In this embodiment, in order to more accurately track the deformation of the region of interest, the region of interest may be further refined to determine the deformation of a smaller region of interest. The deformation amount between the first ultrasound image and the second ultrasound image may be obtained by referring to steps S301 to S304:

[0064] Step S301: Divide the first ultrasonic image into Z first regions to be compared according to a preset j-th resolution, and divide the second ultrasonic image into Z second regions to be compared according to a preset j-th resolution.

[0065] Among them, the initial value of j is 1.

[0066] Step S302, obtaining an area of ​​interest from the Z first areas to be compared, and obtaining a comparison area from the Z second areas to be compared; cross-correlation matching is performed on the areas of interest respectively with the comparison areas to obtain corresponding cross-correlation coefficients; and the second area to be compared with the largest cross-correlation coefficient among the comparison areas is selected as the target comparison area.

[0067] Step S303: if j<H, set j=j+1, divide the region of interest into P third regions to be compared according to the j-th resolution, and divide the target comparison region into P fourth regions to be compared according to the preset j-th resolution.

[0068] Wherein, H is the total number of preset resolutions, and the j+1th resolution is greater than the jth resolution.

[0069] Step S304, let Z=P, the third area to be compared as the first area to be compared and the fourth area to be compared as the second area to be compared, return to execute the steps of obtaining the area of ​​interest in the Z first areas to be compared and obtaining the comparison area in the Z second areas to be compared until j=H.

[0070] H resolutions are preset, j takes values ​​from 1 to H, the jth resolution is smaller than the j+1th resolution, and the larger the resolution, the finer the division of the area to be compared.

[0071] First, the first ultrasound image is divided into Z first regions to be compared according to a preset j-th resolution, and the second ultrasound image is divided into Z second regions to be compared according to a preset j-th resolution, where the initial value of j is 1.

[0072] Obtain an area of ​​interest from the Z first areas to be compared, and obtain a comparison area from the Z second areas to be compared, perform cross-correlation matching on the area of ​​interest and the comparison area respectively to obtain corresponding cross-correlation coefficients, and select the second area to be compared with the largest cross-correlation coefficient from the comparison area to determine it as the target comparison area.

[0073] If j<H, then let j=j+1, divide the region of interest into P third regions to be compared according to the jth resolution, and divide the target comparison region into P fourth regions to be compared according to the preset jth resolution. Let Z=P, the third region to be compared as the first region to be compared and the fourth region to be compared as the second region to be compared, and return to execute the steps of obtaining the region of interest from the Z first regions to be compared and obtaining the comparison region from the Z second regions to be compared, until j=H. That is, according to steps S302-S304, process the P third regions to be compared and the P fourth regions to be compared, until the region of interest is processed with the maximum resolution to obtain the final deformation amount.

[0074] The target deformation image is obtained based on the final deformation amount.

[0075] Let i=i+1, return to the step of obtaining the imaging area of ​​the one-dimensional ultrasonic probe on the i-th plane test area, control the one-dimensional ultrasonic probe to move to the position for ultrasonic imaging of the next plane test area, and execute steps S101-S102 for the next plane test area to obtain the target deformation image corresponding to the next plane test area, until i=M, and execute steps S101-S102 for each plane test area to obtain the target deformation image corresponding to each plane test area.

[0076] According to the target deformation images corresponding to the M planar test areas, the target deformation images obtained from multiple two-dimensional planar test areas are combined and three-dimensionally linearly interpolated, so as to realize three-dimensional shear wave elastic imaging and obtain the deformation image of the test area of ​​the subject in three-dimensional space.

[0077] Based on the above method, the imaging area can be divided into N sub-imaging areas of preset sizes, and ultrasonic imaging is performed on the target sub-imaging area to obtain a first ultrasonic image corresponding to the target sub-imaging area. After a preset time interval, the target sub-imaging area is subjected to secondary ultrasonic imaging to obtain a second ultrasonic image, and the deformation amount between the first ultrasonic image and the second ultrasonic image is obtained. Based on the deformation amount, a target deformation image is obtained. Only a smaller image window is compared between adjacent frames each time. Therefore, each ultrasonic emission and excitation only needs to excite a small area, thereby enabling high frame rate tissue deformation tracking.

[0078] In order to better implement the above method, the embodiment of the present invention provides a three-dimensional shear wave elastic imaging device, referring to Figure 6 , Figure 6 A structural block diagram of a three-dimensional shear wave elastic imaging device provided by an embodiment of the present invention, the device 60 includes:

[0079] Imaging area acquisition module 601: used to obtain the imaging area of ​​the one-dimensional ultrasound probe on the i-th plane test area, and divide the imaging area into N sub-imaging areas of preset sizes, wherein the initial value of i is 1, and the i-th plane test area is the i-th plane test area among the M plane test areas in two-dimensional space obtained by dividing the test area in the three-dimensional space of the subject.

[0080] The deformation image acquisition module 602 is used to traverse the N sub-imaging areas, and for the traversed target sub-imaging area, perform ultrasonic imaging on the target sub-imaging area to obtain a first ultrasonic image corresponding to the target sub-imaging area, and after a preset time interval, perform a second ultrasonic imaging on the target sub-imaging area to obtain a second ultrasonic image; obtain the deformation amount between the first ultrasonic image and the second ultrasonic image, and obtain a target deformation image based on the deformation amount.

[0081] Three-dimensional image acquisition module 603: used to set i=i+1, return to execute the step of acquiring the imaging area of ​​the one-dimensional ultrasound probe on the i-th planar test area, until i=M; perform three-dimensional shear wave elastic imaging based on the target deformation images corresponding to the M planar test areas, and obtain the deformation image of the test area of ​​the test subject in three-dimensional space.

[0082] In one possible design, the deformation image acquisition module 602 also includes a deformation amount acquisition module, which is used to divide the first ultrasonic image into Z first areas to be compared according to a preset resolution, and divide the second ultrasonic image into Z second areas to be compared according to a preset resolution; obtain an area of ​​interest among the Z first areas to be compared, and obtain a comparison area among the Z second areas to be compared, wherein the area of ​​interest is a selected target first area to be compared, and the comparison area is a second area to be compared where the area of ​​interest is located and a second area to be compared adjacent to the second area to be compared where the area of ​​interest is located; and obtain the deformation amount between the first ultrasonic image and the second ultrasonic image based on the area of ​​interest and the comparison area.

[0083] In a possible design, the deformation amount acquisition module is specifically used to perform cross-correlation matching on the region of interest and the comparison region respectively to obtain corresponding cross-correlation coefficients; select the second region to be compared with the largest cross-correlation coefficient in the comparison region as the target comparison region, and obtain the deformation amount between the target comparison region and the region of interest; the deformation amount between the first ultrasound image and the second ultrasound image is the deformation amount between the target comparison region and the region of interest.

[0084] In one possible design, the deformation amount acquisition module is specifically used to divide the first ultrasound image into Z first areas to be compared according to a preset j-th resolution, and to divide the second ultrasound image into Z second areas to be compared according to a preset j-th resolution, where the initial value of j is 1.

[0085] In a possible design, the deformation variable acquisition module is specifically used to, if j<H, set j=j+1, divide the region of interest into P third regions to be compared according to the j-th resolution, and divide the target comparison region into P fourth regions to be compared according to the preset j-th resolution, wherein H is the total number of preset resolutions, and the j+1-th resolution is greater than the j-th resolution; set Z=P, the third region to be compared as the first region to be compared, and the fourth region to be compared as the second region to be compared, return to execute the steps of obtaining the region of interest in the Z first regions to be compared, and obtaining the comparison region in the Z second regions to be compared, until j=H.

[0086] Based on the above device, it is possible to achieve tissue deformation tracking with high frame rate and obtain deformation images in three-dimensional space with high accuracy.

[0087] Figure 7 FIG. 1 shows an internal structure diagram of a computer device in an embodiment. The computer device may be a terminal or a server. Figure 7As shown, the computer device includes a processor, a memory and a network interface connected via a system bus. The memory includes a non-volatile storage medium and an internal memory. The non-volatile storage medium of the computer device stores an operating system and may also store a computer program. When the computer program is executed by the processor, the processor can implement all the steps of the above method. The internal memory may also store a computer program. When the computer program is executed by the processor, the processor can implement all the steps of the above method. Those skilled in the art will understand that Figure 7 The structure shown in the figure is only a block diagram of a part of the structure related to the solution of the present application, and does not constitute a limitation on the computer device to which the solution of the present application is applied. The specific computer device may include more or fewer components than those shown in the figure, or combine certain components, or have a different arrangement of components.

[0088] In one embodiment, a computer device is provided, including a memory and a processor, wherein the memory stores a computer program, and when the computer program is executed by the processor, the processor executes each step of the aforementioned method.

[0089] In one embodiment, a computer-readable storage medium is provided, which stores a computer program. When the computer program is executed by a processor, the processor executes each step of the aforementioned method.

[0090] Those skilled in the art can understand that all or part of the processes in the above-mentioned embodiment methods can be completed by instructing the relevant hardware through a computer program, and the program can be stored in a non-volatile computer-readable storage medium. When the program is executed, it can include the processes of the embodiments of the above-mentioned methods. Among them, any reference to memory, storage, database or other media used in the embodiments provided in this application can include non-volatile and / or volatile memory. Non-volatile memory may include read-only memory (ROM), programmable ROM (PROM), electrically programmable ROM (EPROM), electrically erasable programmable ROM (EEPROM) or flash memory. Volatile memory may include random access memory (RAM) or external cache memory. As an illustration and not limitation, RAM is available in many forms, such as static RAM (SRAM), dynamic RAM (DRAM), synchronous DRAM (SDRAM), double data rate SDRAM (DDRSDRAM), enhanced SDRAM (ESDRAM), synchronous link (Synchlink) DRAM (SLDRAM), memory bus (Rambus) direct RAM (RDRAM), direct memory bus dynamic RAM (DRDRAM), and memory bus dynamic RAM (RDRAM).

[0091] The technical features of the above embodiments may be combined arbitrarily. To make the description concise, not all possible combinations of the technical features in the above embodiments are described. However, as long as there is no contradiction in the combination of these technical features, they should be considered to be within the scope of this specification.

[0092] The above-mentioned embodiments only express several implementation methods of the present application, and the descriptions thereof are relatively specific and detailed, but they cannot be understood as limiting the scope of the present application. It should be pointed out that, for a person of ordinary skill in the art, several variations and improvements can be made without departing from the concept of the present application, and these all belong to the protection scope of the present application. Therefore, the protection scope of the present application shall be subject to the attached claims.

Claims

1. A three-dimensional shear wave elastic imaging method, characterized in that: The method comprises: Acquire an imaging area of ​​a one-dimensional ultrasound probe on an i-th plane test area, and divide the imaging area into N sub-imaging areas of preset sizes, wherein an initial value of i is 1, and the i-th plane test area is the i-th plane test area among M plane test areas in two-dimensional space obtained by dividing the test area in three-dimensional space of the subject; Traversing the N sub-imaging areas, for the traversed target sub-imaging area, performing ultrasonic imaging on the target sub-imaging area to obtain a first ultrasonic image corresponding to the target sub-imaging area, and performing a second ultrasonic imaging on the target sub-imaging area after a preset time interval to obtain a second ultrasonic image; obtaining the deformation amount between the first ultrasonic image and the second ultrasonic image, including: dividing the first ultrasonic image into Z first areas to be compared according to a preset resolution, and dividing the second ultrasonic image into Z second areas to be compared according to a preset resolution, including: dividing the first ultrasonic image into Z first areas to be compared according to a preset j-th resolution, and dividing the second ultrasonic image into Z second areas to be compared according to a preset j-th resolution, wherein the initial value of j is 1; Acquire an area of ​​interest from the Z first areas to be compared, and acquire a comparison area from the Z second areas to be compared, wherein the area of ​​interest is the selected target first area to be compared, and the comparison area is the second area to be compared where the area of ​​interest is located and a second area to be compared adjacent to the second area to be compared where the area of ​​interest is located; According to the region of interest and the comparison region, the deformation amount between the first ultrasonic image and the second ultrasonic image is obtained, including: performing cross-correlation matching on the region of interest and the comparison region respectively to obtain corresponding cross-correlation coefficients; selecting a second region to be compared with the maximum cross-correlation coefficient in the comparison region as a target comparison region, and obtaining the deformation amount between the target comparison region and the region of interest; the deformation amount between the first ultrasonic image and the second ultrasonic image is the deformation amount between the target comparison region and the region of interest; and obtaining a target deformation image based on the deformation amount; Let i=i+1, and return to the step of obtaining the imaging area of ​​the one-dimensional ultrasound probe on the i-th planar test area until i=M; perform three-dimensional shear wave elastic imaging based on the target deformation images corresponding to the M planar test areas to obtain a deformation image of the test area of ​​the subject in three-dimensional space.

2. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that After selecting the second to-be-compared region with the largest cross-correlation coefficient in the comparison region and determining it as the target comparison region, the method further includes: If j<H, let j=j+1, divide the region of interest into P third regions to be compared according to the jth resolution, and divide the target comparison region into P fourth regions to be compared according to the preset jth resolution, where H is the total number of preset resolutions, and the j+1th resolution is greater than the jth resolution; Let Z=P, the third area to be compared as the first area to be compared and the fourth area to be compared as the second area to be compared, and return to execute the steps of obtaining the region of interest in the Z first areas to be compared and obtaining the comparison area in the Z second areas to be compared until j=H.

3. A three-dimensional shear wave elastic imaging system, characterized in that: The system performs the method as claimed in claim 1, the system comprising a first motor, a second motor, a one-dimensional ultrasound probe, and a processor; The first motor is used to control the one-dimensional ultrasound probe to move to a preset area for photographing the i-th plane area to be tested, so that the one-dimensional ultrasound probe performs ultrasound imaging on the i-th plane area to be tested; wherein i takes a value from 1 to M, and the i-th plane area to be tested is the i-th plane area to be tested among the M plane areas to be tested in two-dimensional space obtained by dividing the area to be tested in the three-dimensional space of the subject to be tested; The second motor is used to control the vibration of the one-dimensional ultrasonic probe; The processor is used to obtain an imaging area of ​​a one-dimensional ultrasonic probe on an i-th planar test area, and divide the imaging area into N sub-imaging areas of preset sizes; control the one-dimensional ultrasonic probe to traverse the N sub-imaging areas, and for the traversed target sub-imaging area, perform ultrasonic imaging on the target sub-imaging area to obtain a first ultrasonic image corresponding to the target sub-imaging area, and after a preset time interval, control the one-dimensional ultrasonic probe to perform secondary ultrasonic imaging on the target sub-imaging area to obtain a second ultrasonic image; perform cross-correlation matching on the first ultrasonic image and the second ultrasonic image to determine the deformation amount between the first ultrasonic image and the second ultrasonic image, and obtain a target deformation image based on the deformation amount; perform three-dimensional shear wave elastic imaging based on the target deformation images obtained corresponding to the M planar test areas to obtain a deformation image of the test area of ​​the subject to be tested in three-dimensional space.

4. A three-dimensional shear wave elastic imaging device, characterized in that: The device comprises: An imaging region acquisition module is used to acquire an imaging region of a one-dimensional ultrasound probe on the i-th plane test region, and divide the imaging region into N sub-imaging regions of preset sizes, wherein the initial value of i is 1, and the i-th plane test region is the i-th plane test region among the M plane test regions on the two-dimensional space obtained by dividing the test region on the three-dimensional space of the subject; The deformation image acquisition module: traverses the N sub-imaging areas, performs ultrasonic imaging on the target sub-imaging area traversed, obtains a first ultrasonic image corresponding to the target sub-imaging area, and performs secondary ultrasonic imaging on the target sub-imaging area after a preset time interval to obtain a second ultrasonic image; obtains the deformation amount between the first ultrasonic image and the second ultrasonic image, including: dividing the first ultrasonic image into Z first areas to be compared according to a preset resolution, and dividing the second ultrasonic image into Z second areas to be compared according to a preset resolution, including: dividing the first ultrasonic image into Z first areas to be compared according to a preset j-th resolution, and dividing the second ultrasonic image into Z second areas to be compared according to a preset j-th resolution, wherein the initial value of j is 1; Acquire an area of ​​interest from the Z first areas to be compared, and acquire a comparison area from the Z second areas to be compared, wherein the area of ​​interest is the selected target first area to be compared, and the comparison area is the second area to be compared where the area of ​​interest is located and a second area to be compared adjacent to the second area to be compared where the area of ​​interest is located; According to the region of interest and the comparison region, the deformation amount between the first ultrasonic image and the second ultrasonic image is obtained, including: performing cross-correlation matching on the region of interest and the comparison region respectively to obtain corresponding cross-correlation coefficients; selecting a second region to be compared with the maximum cross-correlation coefficient in the comparison region as a target comparison region, and obtaining the deformation amount between the target comparison region and the region of interest; the deformation amount between the first ultrasonic image and the second ultrasonic image is the deformation amount between the target comparison region and the region of interest; and obtaining a target deformation image based on the deformation amount; Three-dimensional image acquisition module: used to set i=i+1, return to execute the step of acquiring the imaging area of ​​the one-dimensional ultrasound probe on the i-th plane test area, until i=M; perform three-dimensional shear wave elastic imaging according to the target deformation images corresponding to the M plane test areas, and obtain the deformation image of the test area of ​​the test subject in three-dimensional space.

5. A computer-readable storage medium storing a computer program, characterized in that: When the computer program is executed by a processor, the processor is caused to perform the steps of the method according to any one of claims 1 to 2.

6. A computer device comprising a memory and a processor, characterized in that: The memory stores a computer program, and when the computer program is executed by the processor, the processor is caused to perform the steps of the method according to any one of claims 1 to 2.

Images